Airbus has selected 51 international student teams to go into round two of its sixth Fly Your Ideas global challenge. Students were invited to innovate in six key areas covering Electrification, Data Services, Cyber Security, Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence and Mixed Reality.

The teams involving 179 students representing 47 nationalities from 66 universities developed ideas which included solutions for surveillance drones, alternative power generation, ground-breaking in-flight entertainment systems and many others. The shortlisted teams have three months to mature their ideas with the support of Airbus mentors and aerospace experts before up to six finalists are chosen. Finalist teams will compete for a share of the ?45,000 prize and the chance to take their idea forward within the aerospace industry. Teams will share project updates, photos, sketches and stories using #flyyourideas and will be captured on the social wall on www.airbus-fyi.com.

The competition is an offer from Airbus to students worldwide to bring their ideas to life together with a leading global company on real industry challenges. Airbus is looking for ideas that change the future of aerospace and create a safer, cleaner and better-connected world.

The majority of participants come from engineering, digital and technology disciplines with 90% studying subjects such as Engineering, Information Technology, Nanotechnology or Telecommunications. Seven out of ten teams include mixed nationalities, genders, profiles or disciplines. Airbus sees diversity as an essential driver for innovation and success. With regards to the region, Europe and Asia-Pacific lead the field. Countries which are represented for the first time in Round 2 include Ghana, Kazakhstan, Vietnam and Zimbabwe.

Contributed by Airbus